The month of April is National Poetry Month and many businesses across Minot have events planned to celebrate. Poetry Palooza will have events at the Minot Public Library, Classic Rock Coffee, STEAM Studio and Main Street Books. Alongside the celebrations, a poetry writing contest will be held.

Kicking off the events of Poetry Palooza will be the Minot Public Library. On April 6 from noon to 2 p.m., the public is invited to stop by and take part in poetry related activities. Participants will get a “Poetry Passport” and have the opportunity to have it filled out to win a prize.

Alongside the activities will be a chance to meet some First Responders, the library’s READ Dog and a snake or two. Pizza will be provided by the Friends of the Library for guests to enjoy.

On April 11, Classic Rock Coffee will be taking over Poetry Palooza with a Poetry Open Mic Night with special guest Max Patzner from Wild Hands. Everyone is invited to either bring their own poem to read or to work with Patzner to create one to share. As a special treat, guests can enjoy a free drink while there from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Poetry and Pottery will take place on April 15 at STEAM Studio starting at 6 p.m. Participants will get a chance to not only make some pottery of their own but to make it even more special by engraving some poetry into the piece.

Wrapping up Poetry Palooza will be Main Street Books with an Ice Cream Social on April 27 from 1 to 2 p.m. Winners of the Poetry Palooza Poetry Contest will be invited to share their poems they wrote and receive cash prizes.

The Poetry Palooza Poetry Contest is open to children in 3rd to 8th grade. Their pieces can be either traditional or free verse. Those interested in taking part can submit one poem per person that is no longer than one page in length.

Pieces submitted will not be returned, so make sure to make a copy. The poet’s name, grade, school and a parent’s phone number must be clearly written on the back of the entry.

Poems can be submitted to Main Street Books or the Minot Public Library no later than April 13. Winners will be announced on April 23 with the top three winners receiving a cash prize.

Everyone who attends each of the Poetry Palooza events will be entered to win a gift basket, meaning the more you attend, the more chances you have.